Clyburn Fellows working to turn SC purple

It is no secret that South Carolina Democrats have struggled over the past few decades, as was discussed in The State’s Sept. 18 article, “For S.C. Democrats, rebuilding the party ‘is a long process.’”

It is a struggle that Democrats have faced across the South. Nonetheless, I am proud to be a member of the party whose majority status eroded in the 1960s because it stood up for civil rights, while Republicans embarked on a “Southern strategy” that culminated this year in the nomination of Donald Trump, whose race-baiting and bigotry should be disqualifying.

Now, after 14 years of total Republican control of our state government, I am excited to report that the S.C. Democratic Party is conducing impressive rebuilding efforts. I am writing on behalf of myself and the 17 other young Democrats from across the state who are members of the inaugural class of Clyburn Fellows. We are learning how to run successful campaigns and be leaders in our party so we can ultimately tackle the challenges that S.C. Republicans have neglected for far too long.

Democrats have turned Virginia blue and North Carolina purple. Georgia is close behind. According to models such as Nate Silver’s FiveThirtyEight, South Carolina will be next to become competitive after Georgia. Our state’s demographics are changing, and voters are already siding with Democrats on issues from marriage equality to increasing the minimum wage to viewing health care as a right.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and the failed leadership of Republicans in South Carolina will not change overnight. The first step to rebuilding a party is to groom visionary leaders. The Clyburn Fellows stand united: We are ready to play our part in strengthening our party and moving the state forward.

This story was originally published September 26, 2016 at 5:00 PM with the headline "Clyburn Fellows working to turn SC purple."